Replacement

I have now had my pacemaker for eight years and the sad thing is that my doctor, Dr. Baja, was killed in an airplane accident this past summer.

What is the longest time anyone has had a pacemaker? I am worried about having mine replaced and also how bad is the procedure. I hope those telephone test are accurate and are able to detect in time if it needs to be replaced.

Sue

4 Comments

What I know

by ela-girl - 2008-05-02 09:05:28

That's so terrible about your doctor! Especially if you really liked and trusted him...

I saw a post awhile back about someone who had theirs for over 20 years! See if you can find it using the search feature... The length of time one has a pacemaker will vary depending on how much it is used and what the settings are at etc.

I hear the replacement is no biggie and is a "stand up" surgery--meaning, you are in and out in about 15 minutes. That is if you are just having the generator replaced and not the leads. If the leads are bad and need to replaced, that's a whole other game!

I'm sure someone else will be around to comment who has actually had a replacement...

ela-girl

PM Replacement.....

by maryanne - 2008-05-02 09:05:30

Well I can tell you my brother and sister had thier PM's for 20 years before they needed changing....I on the other hand am on my 4th PM and it seems I need mine changed every 7 years. Now with the new technology the PM's are able to store so much more information hence using more battery life....but it also depends on how your PM is programmed and how often it is used....so for some thier PM will last longer.....as far as the replacement procedure goes...it is about a 20-30 min and you are done. It is day surgery....the prep time takes longer than the procedure.....you do have discomfort but I don't think it is as bad as the initial PM insertion. Hope this helps...good luck and good health....

PM and lead replacement

by heckboy - 2008-05-03 02:05:27

I had one of my two leads extracted and replaced with my second PM. It OP took less than 2 hours and recovery was faster than my first. There is a risk with lead extractions, but it is small.

Replacement

by Miker - 2008-05-03 10:05:00

I am on my second PM. First one lasted 10 years my second one now looks like I might get 8 years out of it. I agree with the other posts the replacement goes very quickly and easily, having been through it once before you know what to expect. Are you still going in for your Annual in office check? The information from that checkup seems to be more informative.

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I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.